Stamp out foot pain for good with the latest treatments and friendly footwear.
One of the best things about summer is trading in our heavy winter boots for stylish, strappy shoes. But those pretty little sandals are doing a number on our feet. Wearing them for long periods of time can cause arch and heel pain and heel spurs (little bony growths on your heels). An increasing number of women are finding themselves at the podiatrist due to foot pain from ill-fitting footwear. But there are solutions, from shoe inserts and “friendly” footwear to shock therapy and surgery.
FootWork
Your feet go through a lot in your lifetime: You’ll walk about 113,000 kilometres and take roughly 15,000 steps a day. What’s more, your feet will absorb over one million pounds of force on a daily basis. “At some point in our lives, every one of us will develop foot or ankle problems,” says Robert Chelin, a podiatrist based in Toronto and president of the International Federation of Podiatrists. But the issue is more profound among women, he says. Women are leading more active lifestyles, working longer hours and working out, which puts added pressure on their feet. And let’s not forget the fashion side of it: High heels, narrow toes, tight straps and ballerina flats with no support are just a few of the potential threats.
Some foot problems are beyond our control. We have genetics to thank for conditions like flat feet (low arches), bunions (a bony enlargement of the joint in the big toe) and unsightly corns. Lifestyle choices and day-to-day
activities, such as running on concrete sidewalks or standing on hard floors all day long, can lead to a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Especially common among athletes, it happens when the ligament between your heel bone and the ball of your foot becomes strained and inflamed. Plantar fasciitis is the most typical cause of heel pain, and it can linger for weeks.
It’s simple: If your shoes don’t fit properly, they will damage your feet.SIZE MATTERS
It’s simple: If your shoes don’t fit properly, they will damage your feet. An ill-fitting shoe can cause everything from corns and blisters to heel pain and clawing or curling of the toes. Foot shape varies among individuals, and one shoe design may not suit everyone — arches may be a different height, or the same person may have two different-sized feet. “Your shoe size may change, as feet swell during the course of the day,” says Chelin. He recommends buying shoes at the end of the day (when your feet are at their maximum size) and getting your feet measured, if possible. “Buy shoes that fit, and don’t worry about the number.”
